3 Reasons AI Anti-Theft Cameras Are Replacing EAS Gates in Supermarkets (2026)

9 AM, a 200m² supermarket on Nguyen Hue Street. A customer takes an imported bottle of wine and hides it in a backpack. The RF EAS gate does not sound – because the tag was tampered with upon entry. But the AI vision camera at the checkout counter detected the suspicious behavior, recorded the customer ID, and sent an alert via the app. The supermarket reduced shrinkage by 40% in the first month alone. This article analyzes 3 key advantages of AI cameras over RF and AM EAS gates, helping supermarket chains optimize security and operations.

#What Are RF and AM EAS Gates? Why Are They No Longer Effective?

RF (Radio Frequency) and AM (Acousto-Magnetic) EAS gates are traditional anti-theft technologies that operate based on tags attached to merchandise. When a tag is not deactivated at the checkout counter, the gate emits an audible alarm. However, in practice, the false alarm rate can reach 30-40%, causing inconvenience for customers and staff. Furthermore, sophisticated thieves can easily disable the tags by tampering with them or wrapping them in foil. This is why many supermarkets are switching to AI vision cameras.

#What Is an AI Anti-Theft Camera?

An AI anti-theft camera (AI vision) uses artificial intelligence to analyze real-time video, detecting suspicious behaviors such as hiding merchandise, moving items without passing through checkout, or altering barcodes. The system automatically records and sends alerts via an app, requiring no tags or EAS gates. Việt POS provides AI camera solutions integrated with sales management software, enabling comprehensive supermarket monitoring.

#3 Reasons AI Cameras Are Replacing EAS Gates in Supermarkets

1. No False Alarms – Reducing Customer Inconvenience

RF and AM EAS gates frequently trigger false alarms due to interference from electronic devices, damaged tags, or improperly deactivated tags. Each false alarm requires staff to manually check, taking 3-5 minutes and annoying customers. AI vision cameras completely eliminate this issue: they only alert when actual theft behavior is detected based on behavior analysis, not on physical tags. Supermarkets reduce false alerts by 95%, improving the shopping experience.

2. Detecting Sophisticated Theft – No Tags Required

Professional thieves often use foil to wrap tags, tamper with tags, or hide items in large bags. RF and AM EAS gates cannot detect these techniques. AI vision cameras recognize behaviors such as: customers looking around repeatedly, bending down to hide items, or bypassing the checkout counter. The system automatically records video clips and sends alerts to management, enabling timely intervention. A supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City reduced shrinkage from 3.5% to 1.2% after two months of using AI cameras.

3. Integration with Sales Data – Comprehensive Shrinkage Reduction

EAS gates only detect theft at the exit, with no link to sales data. AI vision cameras integrate directly with POS software, comparing actual inventory levels with sales data. If a discrepancy is detected (e.g., 10 products are taken from the shelf but only 7 are paid for), the system automatically alerts. This solution helps supermarkets reduce shrinkage from theft, employee errors, or inventory mistakes. Việt POS offers an integrated AI camera + POS package, enabling transparent business management.

#Detailed Comparison: RF/AM EAS Gates vs AI Cameras

Criteria	RF/AM EAS Gates	AI Vision Cameras
Theft Detection	Only when tag is not deactivated	Detects suspicious behavior, no tag needed
False Alarms	30-40%	<1%
POS Integration	No	Yes, automatic reconciliation
Sophisticated Theft Detection	No (easily bypassed)	Yes (behavior recognition)
Initial Investment Cost	Low (5-15 million VND/gate)	Higher (20-50 million VND/camera + software)
Operating Cost	Periodic tag replacement (0.5-2k VND/tag)	Software maintenance (low)
Shrinkage Reduction Effectiveness	20-30%	50-70%
Customer Experience	Inconvenient due to false alarms	No impact

#When to Choose EAS Gates vs AI Cameras?

RF/AM EAS gates are suitable for small supermarkets (under 100m²), with few high-value items and limited budgets. AI vision cameras are suitable for large supermarket chains (200m²+), with high-value items (wine, cosmetics, electronics), and those wanting to integrate sales data for comprehensive management. Việt POS recommends supermarkets combine both: EAS gates for entry/exit areas, AI cameras for shelf and checkout areas, optimizing cost and effectiveness.

#Frequently Asked Questions

Is your supermarket experiencing shrinkage issues? Switch to the AI vision camera solution from Việt POS. Call the hotline 0905 295 337 for installation consultation and a free 7-day trial.